Filming begins on Star Wars movie

Filming has begun on the eagerly anticipated new Star Wars movie, which will reunite many of the original stars.

Fans were informed that cameras had begun rolling after a photo was posted online by director JJ Abrams' production company, Bad Robot, with the hashtag #dayone , alongside a photograph of the film's clapperboard.

Star Wars: Episode VII is being filmed at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, continuing the movie series' tradition of working in the UK, although it is the first time that Abrams has filmed outside the US.

Original cast members Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill have roles in the film and are joined by a number of relative unknowns.

Newcomers include Daisy Ridley, who has had small parts in Casualty and Mr Selfridge, and John Boyega, who appeared in London-set sci-fi film Attack The Block.

Little has emerged about their roles but, along with Domhnall Gleeson, they are rumoured to be playing a trio of new lead characters.

Ford, Fisher and Hamill will return as Han Solo, Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker respectively - the roles that made them huge stars when the first film was released in 1977.

Also coming back are Anthony Daniels as C3PO, Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca and Kenny Baker as R2-D2.

Abrams - whose previous films have included Star Trek and Super 8 - recently said: "Everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud."